Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Secrets of a Sassy Mama

Ok, girls, I know you've been waiting and wondering what this week's tip would be....on the edge of your office chair, I'm sure. ;)

I can't get enough of tunics. I know, I know, kind of trendy. Kind of frumpy sometimes...and didn't i just say last time to never wear frumpy clothes. but these.....oh these are not frumpy....they are sooo great!

You might be asking right about now, "What's a tunic?" And, this is by far no fashion designer's opinion or definition, but basically, it's a long top. It can be many different styles, lengths, and fabrics, but it's longer than your average stop-at-the-waist top. Usually, a tunic comes at least a few inches below your hip line, and they can be as long as a few inches above your knees.

Ok, let me tell you all the reasons why I love these long beauties.

1. You can wear them with anything - jeans, tights, leggins (some of you disapprove, i know - keep your comments to yourselves!) heehee.

3. They are usually pretty A-line and/or empire waist - meaning.... they hang loose, but not too loose, so they flatter your figure - ok, so if you've had babies, you know that your middle just isn't the same. or at least mine isn't. so, the tunic is very kind to us!! it doesn't hug your middle, but it also doesn't look like a bag giving you lots of extra cloth and space where you don't need it. and not to mention that they are very flattering to your legs!

4. You can have one, and have several different looks with it. Example... you could wear it with jeans and flip flops and look cute and casual. Or, you could wear it with heels and leggins and look like you're ready for a fun time out on the town. Or you could wear it with jeans and wedges and look sophisticated and stylish. Or you could wear it with tights and rainboots and look superfun and adorable. Or you could wear it with...do you really want me to go on? This might not be as fun for you as it is for me.

5. Most of them are pretty kid friendly. I realized a few years ago that being a mommy meant I needed clothes that were durable and EASY to care for. Most tunics are cotton (not all) and are easy to get clean. Also, they're not so nice that you feel scared to wear them around your kids. It doesn't matter if they get snot or marker on it, because it's not your silk shirt. But it's still a fun thing to wear around, and not feel like you're in the same outfit every day.

6. They're pretty cheap for all you get out of them. Places like Ross and Marshalls always have a lot of them, and so usually you can find them on the clearance racks. And they're not out of style.

7. They layer really well. Summer tunics will be on sale at most places, and even though they may be lighter material, or short sleeve, you can put a shirt under them, or a cute jacket over them, and still get the look - for less!

It's raining raining raining, and right about now, I'm wishing I had gotten those cute rainboots that were on SALE at Target last week!!! They sure would be cute with my tunic I'm gonna wear tomorrow! Oh, well, my flats will have to do.

8 comments:

I have tried tunics. They are great to cover the excess that won't.go.away!!!However, I feel that on me, they make me look like I am pregnant again and I really don't want to look that way! Any advice for that one?

yes, kari, you were the one i was referencing. ;) but you know you should reconsider, seeing as how cute your legs would be in leggings.

and nan, i do actually have some advice about it. i've had a little bit of that feeling with some of them, too. so try these 3 things:

1. i think one thing is if you wear a cami underneath, it helps to suck you in a little bit more. (really that's true whenever you want to feel a little more sucked in, not just with tunics). 2. try ones that are still a-line, but a little more fitted through the bodice helps. so that it also kind of clings a little bit more, and doesn't make you feel like you're wearing a bag.3. using a thin belt or a sash, not too tight, but just a little, can still give you the long top look, but accent your waist line and again, give you a more flattering look.

I love them! I think they are so wonderful!! I wanted to personally invite you to my on`line school~ Screaming Meme's Faux School...I'm teaching how to faux...distress,antique,fool the eye etc! Come check it out! Screaming Meme

Melissa,Question about your recipe that you posted the other day. Thinking of making it for a family at church that just had a baby...do you cook and then freeze or just freeze and then thaw and cook???

hey nan - you actually can assemble the dish, and put in the freezer, and then just put it straight into the oven and bake for a little bit longer. usually if it's frozen i bake it for about 1 1/2 hour. (just check it after 1 1/4 hour to make sure it's not getting too done). hope it works for you!